The U.S. Closes Its Consulate in Basra Due to 'Iranian Threats'

The United States announced that it will close its consulate in Basra, Iraq, due to security threats from Iran and its supported groups, and will evacuate diplomats stationed there. Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on Friday evening that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had ordered the temporary closure of the consulate. She added, "The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad will continue to provide full consular services for individuals in and around Basra. We remain fully committed to supporting the Iraqi people in the southern provinces and across the country." Hours earlier, Mr. Pompeo had warned Iranian officials that they would be held accountable for any harm to Americans and American facilities in Iraq or elsewhere, whether such acts were committed directly by Iranian forces or through proxy groups. The statement noted, "The threats posed by the Iranian government, the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the militias supported by Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, against American personnel and facilities in Iraq have increased in recent weeks. Several instances of indirect fire have also targeted our consulate and embassy in Basra and Iraq, including in the last twenty-four hours, for which these militia elements were responsible." Mr. Pompeo then added that he had previously made it clear that Iran must understand that the U.S. would respond appropriately to such attacks immediately. On Friday, CNN reported, citing officials at the Pentagon, that recent intelligence assessments indicate that Iranian-backed proxy groups are likely considering attacks against U.S. military or interests in the Middle East. The U.S. consulate and embassy in Basra and Iraq were also targeted by mortar attacks in September, which fortunately did not result in casualties. At that time, the U.S. State Department stated that Iran was responsible for these attacks. Basra has seen widespread unrest in recent weeks. Protests began over poor public services and drinking water pollution but gradually turned into opposition against Iraqi officials and the Iranian government, which has significant influence in Iraqi politics. The Iranian consulate was also set on fire during these protests.